SHARPE, Helen - After a full and rewarding life, Helen died on December 16, 2018 in Jerusalem.
She is mourned by her sister, Bubbles Koblinsky, her children, Ricki and Steven, and Mark, her grandchildren, Rachel and Ryan Landen, Spencer, Emily Sharpe and Micky New, Benjamin and his fiancee Ardith, Samuel and his fiancee Jenni, her great-grandchildren, Scarlett and Aria Landen and countless others whose lives she touched.
Helen was born in Toronto, May 15, 1932, to Sam and Ann Meyers. She grew up in Toronto, graduated from Harbord Collegiate and began her studies at the University of Toronto.
Helen's plans changed when she married Sydney Sharpe, and as a 20-year-old bride, moved to Windsor. Her boys were born and raised in Windsor. Helen devoted herself to her family, to her volunteer work and her fight to free Soviet Jews. When, in the mid-1970's, Helen was obliged to find a job, her friend Harvey Strosberg offered her one as a secretary in his law firm. In no time, Helen realized two things: she had none of the skills necessary to be a secretary, and second, she wanted to be a lawyer. With Harvey's encouragement, she applied to, attended and graduated from the University of Windsor Law School, and, at age 50, was called to the Bar.
She practised law in Windsor for a number of years before moving to Toronto to be closer to family. Helen immersed herself in her family and continued to practise law. She also took up the sport of dragon boat paddling, the eldest breast cancer survivor by decades of all her teammates. As well, Helen undertook several tours of duty as a Sar-El volunteer, serving on IDF bases across Israel. She greased tank parts, packed medics' kits and painted and refilled jerry cans.
At age 70, Helen decided to fulfill her lifelong dream to make aliyah and move to Israel. By herself, with no family and few friends, she moved to Jerusalem and set about making a brand-new life for herself. By force of her personality and her character, she was able to quickly develop a number of deep friendships. She was welcomed into their families, and in turn, those families became a cherished part of her own family. Despite a number of health challenges over the last 17 years, Helen loved her life in Jerusalem and would not have traded it for anything. The quality of her life in Israel was due in no small part to the love, devotion and commitment of her friends. That devotion was incredible and it was mutual.
Sister, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, lawyer, 45-year breast cancer survivor, dragon boat paddler, Sar-El veteran, dear friend. Helen was a force to be reckoned with. May her memory be for a blessing.
Burial took place at Eretz Hachaim cemetery in Israel, and shiva began there. Shiva will continue in Toronto on Wednesday, December 19, at 400 Walmer Road, West Tower, PH 6, between 2 and 4pm and 7 and 9pm. Shiva will continue until 4pm on Friday, December 21.
Memorial donations may be made to One Family Fund.
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